Stakeholder analysis of evidence use in the design and implementation of programmes in Uganda’s refugee response

Abstract

The use of evidence in the design and implementation of humanitarian programmes has become a topic of increasing importance in recent years, as organisations and practitioners strive to ensure that their interventions are effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of affected populations (Ramalingam & Mitchell, 2022., Slim, 2024). However, the challenges of collecting reliable data in conflict-affected areas, as well as the complexities of navigating humanitarian funding and governance structures, have presented significant barriers to the integration of evidence-based approaches in the refugee response (Deb & Baudais, 2022., Kielwein, 2023). In the humanitarian sector, both globally and within the East African region, the effective use of evidence in planning and implementing interventions and programmes is widely acknowledged as crucial in improving the assistance provided to people affected by crisis (Khanpour et al, 2020., Kananura et al, 2027., Kielwein, 2023). The global humanitarian community generates a wealth of evidence, including academic and institutional research, programme evaluations, and situation updates periodically developed and curated by UNHCR, Reliefweb and other reputable sources, which holds the potential to guide decision-making and programme design for crisis-affected populations. However, there are significant challenges associated with effectively harnessing this evidence, specifically in programme design and implementation (Khalid et al, 2020). Similarly, the humanitarian sector in Uganda - under the coordination of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) creates evidence through research reports, evaluation reports, needs assessments, situation analyses, meeting records, however, the uptake of these pieces of evidence is still relatively low (USAID & IRC, 2021).